‘Connections’ March 14: Hints and Answers for Puzzle #642

The Rise of Connections: A puzzle that has captured the internet

Connections, a puzzle game created by The New York Times, has taken the internet by storm since its release in June 2023. Its popularity shows no signs of waning, with players across the globe hooked on its unique brain-teasing challenges. The game was developed by Wyna Liu, a puzzle editor at The New York Times, who has a passion for creating engaging and thought-provoking puzzles. Liu’s journey into puzzle-making began several years ago, and she has since become a key figure in the world of word-based games. Her first puzzle was published on February 15, 2019, and it was a themeless puzzle featuring words like "CRAZY RICH ASIANS" and "CATFISHES." This marked the beginning of her career as a puzzle constructor, a path she pursued with dedication and creativity.

Wyna Liu: The mastermind behind Connections

Wyna Liu’s love for puzzles grew as she became more involved in solving them. She credits Patrick Berry’s book on puzzle construction with teaching her the foundational skills needed to create her own puzzles. However, it wasn’t until several years later that she decided to take the plunge and start making puzzles in earnest. Her hard work and creativity paid off when Connections became an instant hit. In an interview with Newsweek, Liu expressed her excitement and surprise at the game’s success. "The response has been really incredible and overwhelming, and unexpected," she said. "It’s exciting that something I care very deeply about is resonating with people." Liu’s passion for puzzle-making is evident in the design of Connections, which challenges players to think creatively and make unexpected connections between words.

How to play Connections: A guide to the game

Connections is a game that requires players to group 16 words into four categories based on a common theme or connection. Each category is labeled with a color—yellow, green, blue, or purple—which also indicates the difficulty level. Yellow is the easiest category, while purple is the most challenging. Players have four attempts to solve the puzzle, and there is no time limit, allowing them to take their time and think through their answers carefully. Liu advises players not to "rage solve," meaning they should avoid frantically guessing without thinking. Instead, she encourages players to approach the game methodically and enjoy the process of figuring out the connections.

Friday’s game: Hints and clues for Connection #642

For Friday, March 14, players can tackle Connection #642, which comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities for fun. Below are some hints and clues to help players navigate the game:

• Yellow Category: Enforce punishment
  Words: Assess, Charge, Fine, Levy
  This category is all about actions taken to enforce penalties. Players need to think about words that mean imposing a penalty or fine.

• Green Category: Spur-of-the-moment buys
  Words: Candy, ChapStick, Charging Cable, Magazine
  This category focuses on items people often buy on impulse, especially while waiting in line at a store.

• Blue Category: Movie lengths
  Words: Epic, Feature, Film Series, Short
  This category is all about the different ways to describe the length or format of a movie. Players need to think about terms used to describe movies of varying durations.

• Purple Category: Words before "Road"
  Words: Dirt, High, Rocky, Silk
  This category requires players to think of words that can precede "Road" to form common phrases or titles. For example, "Dirt Road" or "High Road."

Cracking the code: Answers for Connection #642

If you’re struggling with Friday’s game, don’t worry! The answers are here, but be careful not to spoil the fun if you’re still trying to solve it on your own. Here’s how the categories break down:

• Yellow Category: Enforce punishment
  Words: Assess, Charge, Fine, Levy
  All these words are verbs that mean to impose a penalty or fine.

• Green Category: Spur-of-the-moment buys
  Words: Candy, ChapStick, Charging Cable, Magazine
  These are all items people often buy on impulse, especially while checking out at a store.

• Blue Category: Movie lengths
  Words: Epic, Feature, Film Series, Short
  These words describe different formats or lengths of movies. For example, an "epic" movie is usually long and grand, while a "short" movie is brief.

• Purple Category: Words before "Road"
  Words: Dirt, High, Rocky, Silk
  These words can all precede "Road" to form common phrases or titles, such as "Dirt Road," "High Road," "Rocky Road," or "Silk Road."

Whether you cracked today’s game or not, congratulations on giving it a try! If you’re eager for more, a new game will be available on Saturday, March 15. Connections is released at midnight in your local time zone, so be sure to check back daily for more puzzles, hints, and answers.

The broader world of word-based games: Keeping your mind sharp

If you’re a fan of word-based games like Connections, there are plenty of other games and puzzles to keep your mind sharp while you wait for the next Wordle or Connections update. Games like Wordle, Quordle, and Dordle have also gained massive popularity in recent years, offering unique twists on word-based puzzles. These games not only provide entertainment but also exercise your brain, improving your vocabulary, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Whether you’re a casual player or a puzzle enthusiast, there’s something out there for everyone. So, take some time to explore the world of word-based games and see what other challenges await!